You’ve just baked up a delicious batch of homemade cookies, but you’re not sure if you can eat them all and are wondering, “how long do homemade cookies last?”
Assuming you mean in terms of freshness and not how long will it take until everyone in the neighborhood comes over to eat them (this can be pretty instantaneous, in our experience), the answer does depend on what type of cookie you’re making and how you’re storing them, but we’ve got some basic cookie baking tips on the subject and then more explanations if you’re curious.
Regular homemade cookies will last for 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature and up to 9 months if stored in the freezer.
However, this is a generalization, and different kind of cookies have different answers, so read on for more information on how long cookies last.
GET A FREE COOKIE RECIPE BOOK & SECRET BAKING HACKS!
With 9 guaranteed-delicious cookie recipes and plenty of secret baking hacks, this is your ad-free key to cookie success!
How Long Do Cookies Stay Fresh after Baking?
Most cookies will stay fresh for up to a week after baking, if stored correctly (check out our guide to storing cookies here).
We’ll break down the options for some of the most popular cookies below, but if you want to keep them at room temperature instead of freezing, plan for them to be freshest for the first 2 days after baking and nearing the end of their freshness about 5 days in.
Must-Have Baking Tools (seriously)
- Silicone baking mats – I use this brand and my cookies slide right off without burning!
- a cookie scoop – get this one. It makes the perfect rounded cookies every time!
- silicone spatula – try this set. It’s the best way to get the most out of your dough and batters
- rolling pin guides – I use this one. Genius way to roll your dough out evenly!
How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last?
Regular sugar cookies will last up to 5-7 days after baking if stored at room temperature.
This is in reference to standard “drop cookies,” ie sugar cookies that aren’t cut-out or shaped into anything.
How Long Do Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?
Chocolate chip cookies will last up to 5-7 days after baking if stored at room temperature.
How Long Do Cut-Out Cookies Last?
If you’re making a cookie that is meant to be cut-out in a shape, like a cut-out sugar cookie or a gingerbread cookie, you may get a few extra days of freshness out of it due to the reactions between the ingredients and the fact that it’s a bit less delicate than a regular drop cookie.
Cut-out cookies will typically last at room temperature for about 7 days.
If you add royal icing on top of the cut-out cookies and keep them in airtight containers, you can even get a few extra weeks out of it as the royal icing acts as a seal on top of the cookie, thus only having one side exposed to air.
How Long Do Shortbread Cookies Last?
Shortbread cookies will last up to 2 weeks after baking if stored at room temperature.
Shortbread cookies are more compact and much drier than a standard cookie, which gives them excellent lasting power.
Easily stack them on top of each other and tuck them away in a cool, dry place and enjoy munching on your shortbread for weeks.
How Long Do Frosted Cookies Last?
Frosted cookies have a shorter shelf life than regular cookies, and you can expect frosted cookies to last 2-3 days at their best after baking and frosting.
This is because, depending on the type of frosting, you may be incorporating extra eggs and other ingredients like cream cheese into your cookies.
These ingredients have shorter shelf lives in general, and when in frosting and not baked, you don’t want to leave them too long.
You also run the risk of the frosting drying out and going hard after about 2 days, not even taking food safety into account.
How Long Do Cookies Last if you Freeze Them?
Whether you’re batch baking Christmas cookies or just not able to eat all of the cookies you’ve made (we’ll believe you that it happened, though it doesn’t in our house), you should know that cookies will last much longer in the freezer!
We’ve got a whole guide on how to store cookies in the freezer, but in terms of the length of freshness of cookies in the freezer, you can freeze cookies for up to 6 months for best freshness.
Some people even freeze cookies for up to 9 months, particularly if you’re freezing something like shortbread or a harder cookie.
I'm an avid baking enthusiast with a deep understanding of the science and artistry behind creating delectable treats. From the intricacies of ingredient interactions to the nuances of storage techniques, my expertise spans the entire spectrum of baking. Allow me to delve into the details of the concepts mentioned in the article about the longevity of homemade cookies.
When it comes to the freshness of homemade cookies, several factors come into play. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
-
Storage Conditions:
- Cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature typically last 4-5 days.
- Freezing extends the shelf life, with cookies remaining fresh for up to 9 months.
-
General Shelf Life:
- Most cookies, if stored correctly, can stay fresh for up to a week after baking.
- For optimal freshness when stored at room temperature, plan to consume them within the first 2 days, with the quality gradually diminishing over 5 days.
-
Specific Cookie Types:
- Sugar Cookies: Standard drop sugar cookies last 5-7 days at room temperature.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Similar to sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies maintain freshness for 5-7 days at room temperature.
- Cut-Out Cookies: Shaped or cut-out cookies may last up to 7 days at room temperature, with the addition of royal icing potentially extending their freshness.
-
Shortbread Cookies:
- Shortbread cookies, being more compact and drier, can last up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
-
Frosted Cookies:
- Frosted cookies have a shorter shelf life, lasting 2-3 days at their best after baking and frosting. The inclusion of ingredients like eggs and cream cheese in the frosting contributes to this shorter duration.
-
Freezing Cookies:
- Cookies stored in the freezer can maintain optimal freshness for up to 6 months, and in some cases, up to 9 months. This is particularly true for harder cookies like shortbread.
The article also touches on related baking tips, such as how to deal with dry brownies, determining when brownies are done, making softer cookies, and whether cookies can be made without baking powder.
If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like more information on, feel free to ask!
